Video: NY cops rescue would-be bridge jumper

Police found an opening to pull the man to safety and used it swiftly

STATTEN ISLAND, N.Y. — On Monday morning, a 39-year-old man thought his only option was just past the edge of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

And when he rebuffed an hour-long attempt by rescuers to talk him down, a trio of NYPD Emergency Service Unit officers saw a brief opening, and pulled him back to safety.

"We thought we were making headway with him. We almost thought he was going to come in. Then he started to shut down slightly on us. He started, we think, he was praying. It appeared he was making peace with what he was about to do," said Det. Jeffrey Loughery. "At that point we were able to — we saw a little window of opportunity, and we made the grab at that time."